Floral shipping container

ABSTRACT

A floral shipping container comprising a base portion, a tube and a lid. The base portion has sidewalls, an upper end, a closed lower end and a retaining space encompassed by the sidewalls, the upper end, and the lower end thereof. The tube is adapted to receive at least one or a plurality of flowers. The tube is supported by the upper end of the base portion such that the tube extends into the retaining space of the base portion. The lid is supported by the base portion such that the lid extends above the upper end of the base portion to encompass the flowers.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

[0001] The present patent application is a continuation of U.S. Ser. No.09/884,559, filed on Jun. 19, 2001 the entire content of which is herebyexpressly incorporated by reference, which is a continuation ofabandoned U.S. Ser. No. 09/501,780 filed on Feb. 10, 2000, which ishereby expressly incorporated by reference.

STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT

[0002] Not applicable.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0003] In general, the present invention relates to a floral shippingcontainer for shipping flowers in a growing medium, such as water, and amethod for shipping a flower in a growing medium, such as water.Generally, the floral shipping container is provided with a baseportion, at least one tube, and a lid.

[0004] The base portion is substantially rigid. The base portion isprovided with a sidewall, an upper end, a lower end and a retainingspace encompassed by the sidewall, the upper end, and the lower endthereof. The upper end of the base portion can be open, and the lowerend of the base portion can be closed. The tube defines a reservoiradapted to receive at least one flower and the growing medium. The tubeis supported in the base portion by the upper end of the base portionsuch that at least a portion of the tube extends into the retainingspace of the base portion. The lid is supported by the base portion suchthat the lid extends above the upper end of the base portion toencompass the flowers disposed in the tube.

[0005] Other features of the present invention will become apparent tothose of ordinary skill in the art when the following writtendescription is read in conjunction with the attached drawings and theappended claims.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWING

[0006]FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a floral shipping containerconstructed in accordance with the present invention wherein a singletube is disposed within the floral shipping container.

[0007]FIG. 2 is a side view, partially in cross section, of the floralcontainer of FIG. 1 having a tube supported therein, the floral shippingcontainer having a raised portion on the lower end of the base portionfor maintaining the tube in a stable position relative to the floralshipping container.

[0008]FIG. 3 is a fragmental, cross-sectional view of a latch assemblyof a floral shipping container for securing a lid of the floral shippingcontainer on a base portion thereof.

[0009]FIG. 4 is a perspective view of another floral shipping containerconstructed in accordance with the present invention wherein a pluralityof tubes are disposed within the floral shipping container.

[0010]FIG. 5 is a perspective view of a base portion of a floralshipping container constructed in accordance with the present inventionwherein the base portion has vent holes formed in a lower end thereof.

[0011]FIG. 6 is a perspective view of a lid of a floral shippingcontainer constructed in accordance with the present invention whereinthe lid includes a handle in an upper end thereof.

[0012]FIG. 7 is a perspective view of another embodiment of a lid of afloral shipping container constructed in accordance with the presentinvention wherein the lid includes spatially disposed vent holes formedtherein.

[0013]FIG. 8 is a partial, fragmental perspective view of a floralshipping container constructed in accordance with the present inventionwherein a plurality of resilient fingers are provided in a base portionto maintain a tube disposed therein in a stable position.

[0014]FIG. 9 is a perspective view of a floral shipping containerconstructed in accordance with the present invention wherein atransparent window is provided in a lid of the floral shippingcontainer.

[0015]FIG. 10 is a perspective view of a tube constructed in accordancewith the present invention, wherein the tube is positioned within afloral shipping container and formed of a flexible material.

[0016]FIG. 11 is an elevational, cross-sectional view of a floralshipping container constructed in accordance with the present inventionwherein a tube is disposed within the floral shipping container andsecured in a stable condition via a bottom holding device positioned inthe base portion of the floral shipping container.

[0017]FIG. 12 is an elevational, partial cross-sectional view of thefloral shipping container of FIG. 1 having an insulating materialdisposed about an interior surface thereof.

[0018]FIG. 13 is an elevational, partial cross-sectional view of thefloral shipping container of FIG. 1 having an insulating materialdisposed about an exterior surface thereof.

[0019]FIG. 14 is an elevational, partial cross-section view of a floralshipping container constructed in accordance with the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

[0020] Referring now to the drawings, and in particular to FIG. 1, showntherein and designated by the general reference numeral 10 is a floralshipping container constructed in accordance with the present invention.The floral shipping container 10 permits one or multiple flowers to beshipped from one location to another location while the stem or stems ofthe one or multiple flowers is maintained in a growing medium, such aswater. In one preferred embodiment, the floral shipping container 10 isprovided with a base portion 12, a tube 14, and a lid 16.

[0021] The base portion 12 is provided with at least a sidewall 20, anupper end 22, a closed lower end 24, and a retaining space 26. Theretaining space 26 is encompassed by the sidewall 20, the upper end 22,and the closed lower end 24. An opening 28 is formed through the upperend 22 of the base portion 12. The opening 28 is sized and dimensionedto receive the tube 14 such that the tube 14 fits snugly within theopening 28 so that the upper end 22 of the base portion 12 at leastpartially supports the tube 14.

[0022] As shown in FIG. 1, the sidewall 20 of the base portion 12includes four sections which are connected at the respective edgesthereof to form a substantially rectangularly shaped sidewall 20.However, the particular number of sections forming the sidewall 20 isnot critical. In this regard, it should be understood that the sidewall20 can be provided with a cylindrical shape, an elliptical shape, atriangular shape, a hexagonal shape, or any other asymmetrical,symmetrical or fanciful shape as may be desired.

[0023] The sidewall 20, the upper end 22, and the closed lower end 24 ofthe base portion 12 are constructed of a substantially rigid material ormaterials, such as plastic, cardboard, metal and combinations thereof.

[0024] Referring to FIG. 2, the base portion 12 optionally includes araised portion 29 disposed in the retaining space 26 so as to be alignedwith the opening 28 provided in the upper end 22 of the base portion 12.The raised portion 29 is connected to or formed on the lower end 24 ofthe base portion 12. The tube 14 engages the raised portion 29 when thetube 14 is disposed in the opening 28 so as to prevent lateral movementof the tube 14. The raised portion 29 can either be integrally formedwith the lower end 24 of the base portion 12, or can be a separatemember which is connected to the lower end 24 of the base portion 12.The raised portion 29 will be discussed in more detail hereinafter.

[0025] Referring again to FIG. 1, the tube 14 defines a reservoir 30adapted to receive at least one flower 31. The tube 14, which isdisposed through the opening 28 in the upper end 22 of the base portion12, is supported by the portion of the upper end 22 of the base portion12 surrounding the opening 28. The tube 14 extends into the retainingspace 26 of the base portion 12. In general, the tube 14 is providedwith a sidewall 32, which extends between an upper end 34 and a lowerend 36 thereof. As shown in FIG. 1, the tube 14 includes one continuoussidewall 32 so as to provide the tube with a cylindrical shape. However,it should be understood that the tube 14 can have any one of a number ofdifferent configurations or shapes. The tube 14 is constructed of asubstantially rigid fluid impermeable material, such as plastic orglass.

[0026] The upper end 34 of the tube 14 is open so that growing medium,such as water, and the stem of the flower 31 can be disposed through theupper end 34 and into the tube 14. The lower end 36, on the other hand,is closed so as to maintain the growing medium, and the flower 31 in thetube 14. As shown in FIG. 2, the lower end 36 of the tube 14 engages theraised portion 29 such that the raised portion 29 stabilizes any lateralmovement of the lower end 36 of the tube 14. As shown in FIG. 2, theraised portion 29 can optionally be provided with an indented orrecessed portion to matingly receive the lower end 36 of the tube 14.

[0027] A stopper 37 can be disposed in the upper end 34 of the tube 14to prevent spillage of the growing medium, such as water, from the tube14. The stopper 37 is sized and dimensioned to be matingly disposed intothe tube 14 to form a substantially liquid impermeable barrier therebetween. An opening 38 is provided through the stopper 37 so as topermit the stem of the flower 31 to be disposed through the stopper 37and into the tube 14.

[0028] The lid 16 is supported by the base portion 12 of the floralshipping container 10 such that the lid 16 extends above the upper end22 of the base portion 12 to encompass the flower 31 substantially asshown. The lid 16 has a shape substantially corresponding to the shapeof the base portion 12 so that the lid 16 can be disposed about andsupported by the base portion 12. However, it should be understood thatthe shape of the lid 16 does not have to correspond to the shape of thebase portion 12, so long as the lid 16 can be secured to the baseportion 12.

[0029] The lid 16 is provided with a sidewall 40, which extends betweenan upper end 42, and a lower end 44 thereof. The upper end 42 of the lid16 is generally closed so that the upper end 42 and the sidewall 40cooperate with the base portion 12 so as to fully encompass and protectthe flower 31 which is disposed within a cavity 46 defined by the lid 16and the upper end 22 of the base portion 12.

[0030] The lower end 44 of the lid 16 is open, and the lid 16 is sizedand dimensioned so that the lower end 44 can be disposed over and pastthe upper end 22 of the base portion 12 substantially as shown inFIG. 1. The lower end 44 of the lid 16 can be disposed past the upperend 22 of the base portion 12 until the lower end 44 of the lid 16 issubstantially aligned with, or alternatively, disposed in closeproximity to the lower end 24 of the base portion 12 whereby the lid 16extends over and substantially encompasses the sidewall 20 of the baseportion 12.

[0031] The lid 16 can be constructed of a rigid material or materials,such as plastic, metal, cardboard, and/or combinations thereof. Inaddition, the sidewall 40, and/or the upper end 42 of the lid 16 can beconstructed of either an opaque, or a transparent material. It isdesirable to form the sidewall 40, and/or the upper end 42 of thetransparent material so that the bloom portion of the flower 31 can beseen from outside the floral shipping container 10. Thus, the floralshipping container 10 can also serve to display the flower 31 when thefloral shipping container 10 containing the flower 31 is located in aretail establishment. In this regard, the floral shipping container 10can have decorations, such as images printed thereon, or the like toenhance the aesthetic value of the floral shipping container, and thus,the flower 31 contained within the floral shipping container 10.

[0032] In addition, the lid 16 and/or the base portion 12 may havevarious colorings, coatings, flocking and/or metallic finishes, or otherdecorative surface ornamentation applied separately or simultaneouslythereon. Alternatively, the lid 16 and/or the base portion 12 may becharacterized totally or partially by pearlescent, translucent,transparent, iridescent or the like qualities. Each of the above-namedcharacteristics may occur alone or in combination and each surface ofthe lid 16 and/or the base portion 12 may vary in the combination ofsuch characteristics.

[0033] The floral shipping container 10 is optionally provided with aplurality of latch assemblies 48 for securing the lid 16 to the baseportion 12. One of the latch assemblies 48 is shown in more detail inFIG. 3. Each latch assembly 48 engages the base portion 12 and the lid16 so as to securely maintain the lid 16 on the base portion 12.

[0034] The latch assemblies 48 are substantially identical inconstruction and function. Thus, only one of the latch assemblies 48will be described hereinafter.

[0035] The latch assembly 48 is provided with an opening 50, and a latchmember 52. The opening 50 is formed through the sidewall 40 of the lid16. The latch member 52 extends outwardly from the sidewall 20 of thebase portion 12. The latch member 52 is positioned such that the latchmember 52 is positioned within the opening 50 formed through thesidewall 40 of the lid 16 when the lid 16 is disposed on the baseportion 12 so that the latch member 52 engages the sidewall 40 of thelid 16 to prevent removal of the lid 16 from the base portion 12. Thus,the latch assembly 48 securely connects the lid 16 to the base portion12.

[0036] The sidewall 20 of the base portion 12 is formed of an elastic orresilient material, so that the sidewall 20, and thus the latch member52, can be moved either toward or away from the opening 50 formed in thesidewall 40 of the lid 16. That is, the sidewall 20 can be deformed tomove the latch member 52 in a direction generally away from the opening50 formed in the sidewall 40 for insertion of the lid 16 on the baseportion 12, or removal of the lid 16 from the base portion 12. Once theopening 50 formed in the lid 16 is aligned with the latch member 52, thememory of the sidewall of the base portion 12 causes the latch member 52to be automatically moved into the opening 50.

[0037] As shown in FIG. 3, the latch member 52 is ramped so as toautomatically move the latch member 52 in a direction generally awayfrom the opening 50 as the lid 16 is being inserted onto the baseportion 12. The latch member 52 can be formed integrally with thesidewall 20 of the base portion 12 or can be a separate member attachedto the sidewall 20 of the base portion 12.

[0038] Although the latch assembly 48 has been described as the openings50 formed through the sidewall 40 of the lid 16, and the latch members52 extending outwardly from the sidewall 20 of the base portion 12, itshould be understood that the openings 50 could be formed through thesidewall 20 of the base portion 12, and the latch members 52 couldextend inwardly from the sidewall 40 of the lid 16. Moreover, otherembodiments of the latch assembly 48 are contemplated so as to securelymaintain the lid 16 on the base portion 12. For example, the latchassembly 48 could be formed of tape, staples, straps and/or combinationsthereof to securely maintain the lid 16 on the base portion 12 whilepermitting removal of the lid 16 from the base portion 12 when desiredby an individual without substantially destroying the floral shippingcontainer 10.

[0039] In use, the floral shipping container 10 safely ships the flower31 from a first location to a second location via an suitable shippingservice, such as the United States Postal Service, UPS, Federal Express,or the like. Initially, the stem of the flower 31 and the growingmedium, such as a quantity of water, are disposed within the reservoir30 of the tube 14. If it is desired to utilize the stopper 37 to sealthe upper end 34 of the tube 14, the stem of the flower 31 is initiallydisposed through the opening 38 provided in the stopper 37, and then thestopper 37 and the stem of the flower 31 can then be simultaneouslyinserted into the tube 14. The tube 14 is then supported by the baseportion 12 of the floral shipping container 10 by inserting the tube 14through the opening 28 formed in the upper end 22 of the base portion 12such that at least a portion of the tube 14 extends into the retainingspace 26 of the base portion 12. The lid 16 is then disposed about thebloom of the flower 31 and the base portion 12 until the lower end 44 ofthe lid 16 is positioned past the upper end 22 of the base portion 12.In this position, the latch assemblies 48 secure the lid 16 to the baseportion 12. Once the lid 16 is secured to the base portion 12, thefloral shipping container 10 containing the flower 31 can be shippedfrom the first location to the second location.

[0040] Referring now to FIG. 4, shown therein and designated by thegeneral reference numeral 10 a is another embodiment of a floralshipping container constructed in accordance with the present invention.The floral shipping container 10 a is similar in construction andfunction to the floral shipping container 10, discussed above withreference to FIG. 1, except as discussed below. The floral shippingcontainer 10 a includes a base portion 12 a and a lid 16 a which areenlarged so as to encompass a plurality of tubes 14. The base portion 12a has an upper end 22 a. The upper end 22 a of the floral shippingcontainer 10 a includes a plurality of spatially disposed openings 28 aformed there through. Only two of the openings 28 a are numbered in FIG.4 for purposes of brevity. Each of the openings 28 a is sized anddimensioned to receive one tube 14 substantially as shown in FIG. 4.

[0041] Also shown in FIG. 4, and designated by the general referencenumeral 37 a is another embodiment of a stopper. The stopper 37 a issimilar in construction and function to the stopper 37, except that thestopper 37 a is provided with a plurality of openings 38 a each of whichis sized and dimensioned to receive at least a portion of the stem ofone of the flowers 31 so that multiple flowers 31 can be disposed ineach of the tubes 14.

[0042] Referring now to FIG. 5, Shown therein and designated by thegeneral reference numeral 12 b is another embodiment of a base portionconstructed in accordance with the present invention. The base portion12 b is similar in construction and function to the base portion 12 a,except that the base portion 12 b is provided with a plurality ofspatially disposed vent holes 60 in a lower end 24 b of the base portion12 b. Only two of the vent holes 60 are numbered in FIG. 5 for purposesof brevity. The vent holes 60 permit air to circulate into the retainingspace 26 of the base portion 12 b.

[0043] Referring now to FIG. 6, shown therein and designated by thegeneral reference numeral 16 c is another embodiment of a lidconstructed in accordance with the present invention. The lid 16 c canbe used in conjunction with the base portions 12 a or 12 b. The lid 16 cis similar in construction and function to the lid 16, except that thelid 16 c includes a handle 62. The handle 62 is hingably connected to anupper end 42 c of the lid 16 c. The handle 62 is sized and dimensionedto be gripped by the hand of an individual so that an individual caneasily transport the floral shipping container 10 a having the lid 16 c.It should be understood that the handle 62 can also be placed on asidewall 40 c of the lid 16 c, or alternatively, two handles 62 can beconnected to or formed in the sidewall 40 c with the handles 62 beingspatially disposed, preferably on opposite sides of the lid 16 c. Thehandle 62 does not necessarily need to be the U-shaped member shown inFIG. 6; the handle can be any projection extending from the lid 16 c, oran opening formed through a portion of the lid 16 c so that a portion ofthe lid 16 c can be gripped by an individual.

[0044] Referring now to FIG. 7, shown therein and designated by thegeneral reference numeral 16 d is another embodiment of a lidconstructed in accordance with the present invention which can be usedin conjunction with the base portions 12 a or 12 b. The lid 16 d issimilar in construction and function to the lid 16 c, except asdiscussed below. The lid 16 d includes a plurality of vent holes 64.Only two of the vent holes 64 are numbered in FIG. 7 for purposes ofbrevity. The vent holes 64 are spatially disposed about the lid 16 d soas to permit air to circulate through the vent holes 16 d and about theflowers 31 which can be disposed in the tube 14 when the lid 16 d issecured to the base portion 12 a or 12 b.

[0045] The lid 16 d also includes a finger receiving opening 66 formedthrough a portion of an upper end 42 d thereof. The finger receivingopening 66 is sized and dimensioned to receive at least a portion of anindividual's hand so as to form a handle in the upper end 42 d of thelid 16 d.

[0046] Referring now to FIG. 8, shown therein and designated by thereference numeral 12 c is another embodiment of a base portion which isconstructed in accordance with present invention. The base portion 12 cis similar in construction and function to the base portions 12, 12 a,and 12 b which were described herein before with reference to FIGS. 1,4, and 5, except as discussed hereinafter. The base portion 12 c isprovided with a plurality of resilient fingers 70 extending about anopening 28 c formed through an upper end 22 c of the base portion 12 c.Only two of the resilient fingers 70 are numbered in FIG. 8 for purposesof clarity. The resilient fingers 70 of the base portion 12 c permitdifferently sized tubes 14 to be supported by the base portion 12 c witheach differently sized tube 14 also being engaged and laterallysupported by the resilient fingers 70.

[0047] Referring now to FIG. 9, shown therein and designated by thegeneral reference numeral 10 b is a floral shipping container which isconstructed in accordance with the present invention. The floralshipping container 10 b is similar in construction and function to thefloral shipping container 10 a, which was described previously withreference to FIG. 4, except that the floral shipping container 10 bincludes a lid 16 d having a transparent window portion 74 while theremainder of the lid 16 d is formed of an opaque material so that anindividual can look into the floral shipping container 10 b and perceivethe flowers 31 contained therein. The transparent window portion 74 canbe constructed of any transparent material, such as plastic. Thetransparent window portion 74 can be connected to the remainder of thelid 16 d via any suitable bonding material, such as glue, welds, staplesor the like.

[0048] Referring now to FIG. 10, shown therein and designated by thegeneral reference numeral 14 a is another embodiment of a tubeconstructed in accordance with the present invention. The tube 14 a canbe formed from any flexible, liquid impermeable material, such as apolymeric film, foil or the like. The tube 14 a has an upper end 34 a, alower end 36 a, and a continuous sidewall 32 a extending there between.The lower end 36 a and the continuous sidewall 32 a cooperate to definea reservoir 30 a. The tube 14 a is disposed in the opening 28 formed inthe upper end 22 of the base portion 12.

[0049] Once the tube 14 a is disposed the opening 28, the reservoir 30 aof the tube 14 a can be at least partially filled with a growing mediumsuch as water and the stem of the flower 31 can be disposed therein.

[0050] Referring now to FIG. 11, shown therein is the floral shippingcontainer 10 having a bottom holding device 80 for maintaining the lowerend 36 of the tube 14 in a laterally stable position. The bottom holdingdevice 80 is formed of a member 82 having an inverted, U-shape. Themember 82 can be formed of any suitable material capable of maintainingthe lower end 36 of the tube in the laterally stable position. Forexample, the member 82 can be constructed of a paper product, such ascardboard, or a plastic material. The member 82 can be scored at a firstlocation 84 and a second location 86 to cause two edge portions 88 and90 to fold downwardly. An opening 92 is formed through the member 82.The opening 92 is sized and dimensioned to receive, and preferablymatingly engage, the lower end 36 of the tube 14. The opening 92 isaligned with the opening 28 formed through the upper end 22 of the baseportion 12 to maintain the tube 14 in a substantially upright orvertical position.

[0051] It should be understood that the bottom holding device 80 canalso be utilized and/or formed with the floral shipping containers 10 aand 10 b. In these embodiments (not shown), the member 80 would beenlarged, and multiple openings 92 would be formed in the member 80.Each of the openings 92 in this last example would be aligned with oneof the openings 28 a so that each tube 14 would be supported in anupright or vertical position.

[0052] Referring now to FIGS. 12 and 13, if it is desired to moderatethe temperature within the floral shipping container 10, an insulatingmaterial 98 can be disposed about or within at least a portion of thefloral shipping container 10 so that temperature fluctuations duringshipment of the floral shipping container 10 will not damage the flower30 contained therein. The lid 16 of the floral shipping container 10 hasan interior surface 100 and an exterior surface 102. The insulatingmaterial 98 can either be disposed adjacent to the interior surface 100(as shown in FIG. 13) or the exterior surface 102 (as shown in FIG. 12)such that the insulating material 98 extends about substantially theentire sidewall 40 and the upper end 42 of the lid 16.

[0053] The insulating material 98 can be any material which is desirablylight weight, and capable of insulating the floral shipping container 10so as to prevent damage of the flower 30 due to temperaturefluctuations. For example, the insulating material 98 can be constructedof styrofoam, or a spray-on insulating material.

[0054] Referring now to FIG. 14, shown therein and designated by thereference numeral 10 c is another embodiment of a floral shippingcontainer constructed in accordance with the present invention. Thefloral shipping container 10 c is similar in construction and functionas the floral shipping container 10, except that a lid 16 e of thefloral shipping container 10 c is constructed of an insulating material,such as rigid styrofoam, so as to moderate the temperature within thefloral shipping container 10 c thereby reducing the likelihood that theflower(s) 30 contained within the floral shipping container 10 c will bedamaged due to temperature fluctuations during shipment.

[0055] A scent may be applied to the floral shipping containers 10, 10a, 10 b, 10 c and 10 d disclosed herein so that the floral shippingcontainers 10, 10 a, 10 b, 10 c and 10 d exude a fragrance. For example,the floral shipping containers 10, 10 a, 10 b, 10 c and 10 d may bescented with a floral scent, (flower blossoms, or any portion of aplant), food scent (chocolate, sugar, fruits), herb or spice scent(cinnamon), or the like. Such scents are well known in the art and arecommercially available.

[0056] The scent may be disposed upon the floral shipping containers 10,10 a, 10 b, and 10 c by spraying the scent thereupon, painting the scentthereupon, brushing the scent thereupon, lacquering the scent thereupon,immersing the floral shipping containers 10, 10 a, 10 b, and 10 c in ascent-containing liquid, exposing the floral shipping containers 10, 10a, 10 b, and 10 c to scent-containing gas, or any combinations thereof.

[0057] The scent may be contained within a lacquer, or other liquid,before it is disposed upon the floral shipping containers 10, 10 a, 10b, and 10 c. The scent may also be contained within a dye, ink, and/orpigment (not shown). Such dyes, inks and pigments are known in the art,and are commercially available, and may be disposed upon or incorporatedin floral shipping containers 10, 10 a, 10 b, and 10 c described hereinby any method described herein or known in the art.

[0058] Changes may be made in the various elements, components, partsand assemblies described herein or in the steps or sequences of steps inthe methods described herein without departing from the spirit and thescope of the invention as defined in the following claims.

What is claimed is:
 1. A shipment, comprising: a plurality of flowers; aplurality of growing mediums; a base portion having a sidewall, an openupper end, a closed lower end and a retaining space encompassed by thesidewall, the upper end, and the lower end thereof, the sidewall and theupper end of the base portion being constructed of a substantially rigidmaterial; a plurality of tubes with each of the tubes having a rigidsidewall defining a reservoir and receiving at least one flower and atleast one of the growing mediums, the tubes supported by the baseportion in a spaced apart relation; and a lid supported by the baseportion such that the lid extends above the upper end of the baseportion to encompass the flowers, the lid being constructed of asubstantially rigid material.
 2. The shipment of claim 1, wherein theupper end of the base portion includes a plurality of spatially disposedopenings formed there through with each of the openings being sized anddimensioned to receive one tube and with one tube being disposed in aplurality of the openings.
 3. The shipment of claim 1, furthercomprising a stopper disposed in at least one of the tubes to preventspillage of the growing medium from the tube, the stopper including atleast one opening formed there through, each opening being sized anddimensioned to receive at least a portion of a stem of the flower. 4.The shipment of claim 3, wherein a plurality of openings are formed inthe stopper with each opening being sized and dimensioned to receive atleast a portion of a flower.
 5. The shipment of claim 1, wherein thelower end of the base portion defines a plurality of spatially disposedvent holes formed in the lower end of the base portion so as to permitair to circulate into the retaining space of the base portion.
 6. Theshipment of claim 1, wherein the lid comprises a handle connected to theupper end of the lid, the handle being sized and dimensioned to begripped by the hand of an individual.
 7. The shipment of claim 6,wherein the handle is further defined as a U-shaped member sized anddimensioned to be gripped by the hand of an individual.
 8. The shipmentof claim 1, wherein the lid defines a plurality of vent holes with thevent holes being spatially disposed about the lid so as to permit air tocirculate about the flower.
 9. The shipment of claim 1, wherein the baseportion comprises an opening formed through the upper end of the baseportion to receive the tube and the base portion further comprises aplurality of resilient fingers extending about the opening formedthrough the upper end of the base portion, the resilient fingersengaging the tube so as to maintain the tube in a stable position. 10.The shipment of claim 1, further comprising a latch assembly engagingthe base portion and the lid so as to securely maintain the lid on thebase portion.
 11. The shipment of claim 10, wherein the lid includes asidewall, and the latch assembly comprises: an opening formed throughthe sidewall of the lid; and a member extending outwardly from thesidewall of the base portion with the latch member being positioned suchthat the latch member is positioned within the opening formed throughthe sidewall of the lid when the lid is disposed on the base portion soas to securely maintain the lid on the base portion.
 12. The shipment ofclaim 1, wherein the lid further comprises a transparent window suchthat an individual can look into the floral shipping container.
 13. Theshipment of claim 1, wherein a plurality of raised portions are formedon the lower portion of the base portion, the raised portions beingcontoured to receive lower ends of the tubes so as to cooperate with theupper end of the base portion to securely maintain the tubes in a stableposition.
 14. The shipment of claim 13, wherein the raised portions arecontoured so as to matingly receive the lower ends of the tubes.
 15. Theshipment of claim 1, further comprising a bottom holding devicepositioned in the base portion between the upper end and the lower endof the base portion, the bottom holding device engaging at least aportion of the tube and cooperating with the upper end of the baseportion to maintain the tube in a stable position.
 16. The shipment ofclaim 15, wherein the bottom holding device includes an opening formedthere through to receive at least a portion of the tube.
 17. A methodfor shipping at least one flower having a stem, comprising the steps of:providing a floral shipping container comprising: a base portion havingsidewalls, an upper end, a closed lower end and a retaining spaceencompassed by the sidewalls, the upper end, and the lower end thereof;and a lid securable to the base portion such that the lid extends abovethe upper end of the base portion to form a cavity for receiving andencompassing the flower; supporting the tube in the base portion suchthat at least a portion of the tube extends into the retaining space ofthe base portion, the tube receiving a stem of a flower, and a growingmedium; securing the lid to at least a portion of the base portion suchthat the lid extends above the upper end of the base portion toencompass the bloom of the flower; and shipping the shipment containingthe flower from a first location to a second location.